§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many immigration cases were referred to him by right hon. and hon. Members in the last quarter of 1985 and so far in 1986; and of that number, how many have been kept in detention;
(2) how many immigration cases were referred to him by right hon. and hon. Members in 1983, 1984 and 1985; and, of that number, how many were kept in detention in each of those years.
§ Mr. Waddington[pursuant to his reply, 17 February, c. 47]: The available information relates to the number of immigration files* created following representations by right hon. and hon. Members, and is as follows:
Number 1983 11,456 1984 13,164 1985 16,024 From October 1985 to 21 February 1986, 7,259 such files were created.
No figures are available of the number of people who were held in detention when the representations were received.
*Notes:
1. These figures include a small number of letters dealing with general immigration issues rather than individual cases.
2. Representations made on behalf of a single family may be counted as more than one case where the immigration circumstances of more than one member of the family are under consideration.
3. Further representations made after a reply has been sent are included separately in these figures.
4. Representations received about the same case from more than one right hon. or hon. Member are counted separately.
5. The figures include representations on after entry cases as well as on those arising at the ports.